These characters combine to paint a very clear picture: From actual (实) facts (事), one seeks (求) the truth (是). The meaning is baked directly into its component parts, emphasizing an empirical, evidence-based approach to understanding the world.
While the phrase first appeared in the ancient *Book of Han* (汉书) to describe a rigorous and honest academic attitude, its modern significance is monumental and tied directly to the trajectory of modern China. Mao Zedong popularized the term, elevating it to a core principle of his philosophy. However, it was Deng Xiaoping who made `实事求是` the ideological engine of China's “Reform and Opening Up” (改革开放). After decades of rigid, dogmatic ideology that led to disasters like the Great Leap Forward, Deng used `实事求是` to signal a major shift. He argued that China should abandon rigid adherence to communist doctrine and instead adopt policies that *actually worked*, based on real-world results. This was a revolutionary call to “seek truth from facts,” not from a textbook. A useful Western comparison is the concept of “empiricism” or “pragmatism.” However, `实事求是` is more than just a philosophical stance; it's a national guiding principle that carries the historical weight of China's transformation. While an American CEO might be praised for being “pragmatic,” `实事求是` in China evokes a deeper sense of intellectual honesty, courage to face reality, and the core ideology that lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty. It embodies the value of flexibility and results over rigid adherence to a pre-defined plan.
`实事求是` is a highly respected trait and is used in various formal and informal contexts.
The connotation is almost universally positive, implying integrity, wisdom, and courage.